Retaining cages for rolling elements in bearings

ABSTRACT

A bearing cage is formed from a single piece of sheet metal with a number of windows adapted to retain respective rolling elements against movement in the sense of the bearing load. The cage is formed integrally with a number of pairs of wings folded towards the rolling elements so as to retain them in the respective windows in a sense opposite that of the normal bearing load, so that the rolling elements, located in the windows by spring action, are trapped therein. The construction is described for bearings of both the radially loaded and axially loaded type.

United States Patent Fransos et al.

[54] RETAINING CAGES FOR ROLLING ELEMENTS IN BEARINGS [72] Inventors:Pietro Fransos, Via Saorgio 30; Domenico Camosso, Via Gorizia 149, bothof Turin, Italy [22] Filed: Dec. 18, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 99,564

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 1 Aug. 15, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS 990,217 4/1965 Great Britain ..308/217 1,045,100 10/1966 Great Britain ..308/217 1,178,462 1/1970 Great Britain ..308/217Primary Examiner-Martin P. Schwadron Assistant ExaminerFrank SuskoAttorney-Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak 5 7 ABSTRACT A bearingcage is formed from a single piece of sheet metal with a number ofwindows adapted to retain respective rolling elements against movementin the sense of the bearing load. The cage is formed integrally with anumber of pairs'of wings folded towards the rolling elements so as toretain them in the respective windows in a sense opposite that of thenormal bearing load, so that the rolling. elements, located in thewindows by spring action, are trapped therein. The construction isdescribed for bearings of both the radially loaded and axially loadedtype.

20 Claims, 28 Drawing Figures PAIENTEI] AUG 1 5 I972 SHEET 1 OF 9Will/11101111 INVENTOR S 7/5 TKO FRA r/JaJ J MEH/(O CA MO-S'JO k-Q TOM,I BY MK! K ATTORNEYS RETAINING CAGES FOR ROLLING ELEMENTS IN BEARINGSThis invention relates to retaining cages for rolling elements inbearings. The invention has particular application to bearings adaptedto be interposed between relatively rotatable bodies capable of relativereciprocation.

In particular this invention refers to bearing cages of the type formedcomprising a single piece of sheet metal formed with two annular bodiesinterconnected by a number of identical and uniformly distributed bracesdefining with said annular bodies a number of windows each adapted toretain a respective rolling element against movement in the direction ofthe normal load on the bearing.

Bearing cages as hitherto known are adapted to hold a number of rollingelements. The cages may be in direct contact with one or the other ofthe relatively rotatable bodies or inside two metal rings provided withthe rolling elements and each able to rotate jointly with the respectiverelatively rotatable bodies. Such known cages are substantially dividedinto two categories.

The first category comprise supporting cages which are formed by twometal rings joined together by a number of braces delimiting a number ofwindows, each adapted to hold a rolling element, and in which the bracesand the rings are formed by a single suitably machined metal body. Thebraces generally have a substantially quadrangular shape and areprovided, in correspondence with their surfaces facing the rollingelements, with appendices adapted to retain the rolling elements in therespective windows in the cage. Such appendices are formed either bymachining of the braces, or by plastic deformation thereof by rollingand smoothing of the braces.

In other known cages the whole surface of the braces facing the rollingelements is worked by metal removal so as to retain and guide therolling elements.

The second category include cages formed by a single metal sheet inwhich the windows adapted to contain the rolling elements are obtainedby working the sheet itself. In such cages'the windows have transversedimensions smaller than those of the rolling elements. In consequence,the braces are adapted to hold the rolling elements in at least onedirection of the normal load on the bearing.

In some cases, the braces also serve the function of retaining therolling elements against movement in an opposite direction to that ofthe normal load on the bearing.

Bearing cages in the aforesaid second category have a number ofadvantages: forming the cage from a single piece of cut and folded metalsheet results in their being less complex, lighter and, therefore, moreeconomical to manufacture than cages made from a number of parts; suchone-piece sheet metal cages are also easily mass produced.

Among the known cages formed from simple cut and folded metal sheet thebest known is that described in British Pat. Specification No. 731,516(Durkoppwerke Aktiengesellschaft). This bearing cage represents one ofthe best examples of sheet metal cages and is widely used, in spite ofthe fact that, although it represents a decisive step forward withrespect to the cages obtained by the removal of metal by machining, ithas various disadvantages. In fact this cage is formed by a cylindricalbody provided with a flanged end and having a number of windows, eachadapted to contain a rolling element, defined by braces which extendbetween the flanges and are integral with them.

The aforesaid braces are folded into substantially a U-shape and haveflat coplanar end parts and a central part, also flat, connected to theend parts by two inclined portions.

The width of each window in correspondence with the flat central part ofthe respective braces is smaller than that of the rolling elements whichthey can con tain. Besides the flat end parts. and the central part arespaced from the axis of the cage at a distance which is respectivelygreater or smaller than the mean diameter of the cage itself, that is,the diameter of the circle on which the axes of the rolling elementslie, so as to hold the rolling elements against movement in eitherdirection parallel to the normal direction of the load on the bearing.

The function of guiding the rolling elements during their rotation iscarried out by the inclined portions, which are provided with slots ofoval shape. These slots, the planes of which are inclined to the axes ofthe rolling elements (which usually comprise rollers), are adapted toembrace with precision part of the external surfaces of the rollingelements and to guide the rotation of the latter. Because the braces inthe above mentioned cages are bent after the cutting of the windows, theaccurate forming of the windows, and the calculation of their shape ininclined portions of the braces, is difficult. In the second place itwill be seen that the windows are formed by cutting into the metal sheetand, as the cutting tool used will inevitably be subject to wear andtear, the profile of the windows will not be constant. Such variation ofthe size or shape of the windows gives rise to the possibility of therolling elements sticking to the braces, and the resulting frictionwould cause immediate rapid wear of the bearing.

. Where the rolling elements are formed by rollers it is necessary, fortheir most efficient operation, for the rollers to be guided as near aspossible to their ends. In the cage described in the above-mentionedBritish Pat. Specification No. 731,516, the inclined portions of thebraces adapted to perform the function of guiding are drawn close to oneanother during the folding of the braces themselves. In consequence thesaid inclined portions do not co-operate with the ends of the rollers,as is desirable for optimum guiding of the rollers.

An object of this invention is to provide a bearing cage formed fromsheet metal, which is able to avoid or ameliorate the above-mentioneddisadvantages and which has good retaining and guiding characteristicsfor the rolling elements, together with low weight and economy ofmanufacture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cage for rollingelements which is easily mass-produced and in which the profiles of thesurfaces which guide the rolling elements is not appreciably influencedby wear of the tools used to form the cage.

Finally, a further object of this invention is to provide a bearing cagehaving a high resistance to the loads imported thereto by the rollingelements, consistent with the thickness of the metal sheet used to makethe cage.

The bearing cage according to the invention accordingly comprises asingle piece of sheet metal formed with two annular bodiesinterconnected by a number of identical and uniformly distributed bracesdefining, with said annular bodies, a number of windows each adapted toretain a respective rolling element against movement in the direction ofthe normal load on the bearing, characterized in that the cage has anumber of pairs of upstanding wings, formed in one piece with the cageat opposite ends of the braces, the said wings being adapted to contactrespective rolling elements of the bearing to retain said rollingelements against movement away from the. respective braces, the rollingelements being locatable by spring action in the respective windows ofthe cage.

Preferably the braces co-operate with the surfaces of the rollingelements on one side only of the mean surface containing the axes ofrotation of the said rolling elements.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, each wing isfolded in such a way that an end portion is disposed at right angles tothe respective brace and at or adjacent one end of the latter so as toco-operate laterally with two adjacent rolling elements and to retainsaid elements in the respective windows of the cage. According to afurther preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the rollingelements is retained and guided by opposite pairs of curved surfacesformed on the lateral edges of each said wing and adapted to Ico-operate, at least for a part of its circumference, with that part ofthe external surface of the respective rolling element opposite to thatco-operating with the braces.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdescription, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to theenclosed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly cut away and partly in section, of acage for radial bearings according to a first embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a section on line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section on line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation, partly cut away and partly in section, of avariation of the cage illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a section on line VV of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section on line VIVI of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation, partly cut away and partly in section, of afurther variation of the cage illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a section on line VIIIVIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a section on line IXIX of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation, partly cut away and partly in section, of avariation of the cage illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 1 1 is a section on line XI-Xl of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a section on line XIIXII of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation, partly cut away and partly in section, of acage according to a further embodiment of the invention, similar to thatillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7;

FIG. 14 is a section on line XIV--XIV of FIG. 13;

FIG. '15 is a section on line XVXV of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a side elevation, partly cut away and partly in section, of avariation of the cage illustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a section on line XVIIXVII of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a section on line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of part of a cage for a thrust bearing accordingto another embodiment of the inventron;

FIG. 20 is a section on line XX-XX of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a section on line XXI-XXI of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a section on line XXIIXXII of FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of part of a cage, similar to that illustrated inFIG. 19, for a thrust bearing;

FIG. 24 is a section on line XXIVXXIV of FIG. 23:

FIG. 25 is a section on line XXVXXV of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a side elevation, partly cutaway and partly in section, of acage according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 27 is a section on line XXVII-XXVII of FIG.

26, and

FIG. 28 is a section on line XXVIII-XXVIII of FIG.

. In FIGS. 1 and 3, a radial bearing indicated generally by 1 comprisesa cage 2 supporting and retaining a number of substantially cylindricalrollers 3.

The cage 2 is substantially cylindrical in shape, and is formed fromsheet metal. The cage 2 has two annular end bodies comprising flanges 4interconnected by a number of transverse braces 5 formed in one piecewith the flanges 4. The braces S extend perpendicularly to the flanges 4in directions parallel to the axis of the cage 2. The braces 5, whichare substantially rectangular in shape, are uniformly distributed aroundthe cage 2 and have external surfaces which form part of a commoncylinder coaxial with the cage axis.

The braces 5 are formed by cutting through a tubular member of sheetmetal, so that a number of substantially rectangular windows 6 aredefined between the braces 5, the windows 6 having the same length asthe braces.

The cylindrical surface of the cage 2 has a diameter smaller than thecylindrical surface containing the axes of the rollers 3, the lattersurface being indicated in FIG. 2 by the chain-dotted line 7,hereinafter referred to as the mean circle. The windows 6 have a widthsmaller than the diameter of the rollers 3.

The cage 2 is formed, in correspondence with the axial ends of thebraces 5, with a number of radically outwardly projecting wings 8obtained by cutting through and deforming the annular flanges 4 atcircumferential intervals. Each wing 8 has substantially the shape of aT and lies in a plane perpendicular to the adjoining brace 5 andperpendicular to the axes of the rollers 3.

Each wing 8 has a radially inner part 9 of reduced circumferential widthdirectly connected to the end of the respective brace 5 and a radiallyouter part 10 coplanar with the inner part 9 and disposed symmetri callywith respect to the latter. The two ends of the outer part 10 areadapted to co-operate with the external surfaces of an adjacent pair ofrollers 3. To this end, the outer parts 10 of each pair of adjacentwings 8 define between their adjoining edges a respective partcircularslot 11 coaxial with the axis of the corresponding roller 3 and having adiameter slightly larger than that of the said roller 3.

Each slot 11 intersects the mean circle 7 so as to cooperate, at leastover a part of its surface, with that part of the respective rollersurface 3 which lies at any given time outside the said mean circle 7.

The annular flanges 4 are disposed on the outside of the tubular bodyforming the cage 2 and lie on planes perpendicular to the axis of thelatter. The flanges 4 are adapted to co-operate with rounded endsurfaces 13 formed on the axial ends of the rollers 3.

In the bearing of FIGS. 1 to 3, the rollers 3 are held within thewindows 6 against axial movement by the annular flanges 4, againstradial movement inwardly by the braces 5 against radial movementoutwardly by the wings 8.

As a result of the elasticity of the wings 8, the rollers 3 are heldwith a spring action against the edges of the respective windows 6.

Considerable advantages are possessed by the cage 2 herein described andillustrated as compared with known cages formed by folded and perforatedmetal sheet, in particular as compared with the cage described in UnitedKingdom Pat. Specification No. 73 l ,5 l 6.

Firstly, since the braces 5 are not folded, but formed by simple cuttingor stamping of the tubular body forming the cage 2 along the directionof generatn'ces thereof, the braces 5 are easily obtained by cuttingthrough and do not need difficult calculations for the design of theirshape. Secondly, since the braces 5 have a substantially rectangularshape, the shape and size of the braces are not influenced greatly bywear and tear on the cutting tools used to form the braces 5, minimizingthe danger of rubbing between the rollers 3 and the cage 2.

Another important advantage of the cage herein described is that ofsimplicity of construction because the wings 8 perform the dual role ofguiding the rollers 3 during their rotation and of retaining the rollers3 in the respective windows 6.

Since the slots 11 are part-circular in shape, it follows that the slots11 retain their circular shape even if the tool used to perforate themwears out. Also the slots 11, being of easily calculable shape reducesto a minimum the danger of rubbing between rollers 3 and the cage 2.

It will be appreciated that, by virtue of the wings 8, the rollers 3 areguided at their opposite axial ends, contrary to what happens in thepreviously known cages of sheet metal sheet, so that the possibility ofthe rollers 3 adopting a screwing motion is practically eliminated.

The wings 8, being perpendicular to the axes of the rollers 3 resist theloads imparted by the rollers 3 to the cage 2. These loads are reducedin their magnitude, to cutting loads on the wings 8 themselves.

Lubrication of bearings having cages of the type described isfacilitated by the slots 11 cut into the tubular body forming the cage 2to form the wings 8. Oil circulation in the bearing is consequentlyfavored, with evident advantages.

A further advantage of the cage described is that of having for a giventhickness of metal sheet, the smallest possible weight. In fact, sincethe braces 5 are straight and do not undergo deformation during themanufacture of the cage 2 from a metal tube, the overall length of thesaid metal tube, which is the same as that of the rollers 3 is aminimum. Moreover, in contrast to known cages, the tubular body fromwhich the cage 2 herein described is formed has a diameter which is notonly less than that of the mean circle diameter, but is a minimum.

This last feature is not possessed by the variation of the bearing 1illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6.

The variation of FIGS. 4 to 6 comprises a radial bearing 14 similar tothe radial bearing 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3 except for the fact that theannular flanges 4 and the wings 8 extend radially inwardly towards thecenter of the tubular body forming the cage 2 instead of radiallyoutwardly. In this case the rollers 3 are retained against radialmovement outwardly by the braces 5 and are retained against radialmovement inwardly by the wings The tubular body forming the cage 2 ofthe bearing 14 is therefore of larger diameter than the mean circle ofthe bearing and consequently the weight of the cage thus formed isgreater than that of the cage illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The cage 2 in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6 is used only when a cage ofparticular sturdiness and rigidity is required. I 1

FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate a radial bearing 15 which is basically similarto the radial bearing 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the bearing 15 the rollers 3 are supported by a cage 16, whichcomprises two annular flanges 17 connected to the ends of the braces 5and formed integrally therewith. The cage 16 has radially outwardlyprojecting wings 8 integral with the annular flanges l7 and incorrespondence with the axial ends of the braces 5.

The annular flanges 17 are formed by folding of the axial ends of thetubular body forming the cage 16 outwardly upon themselves to provide ateach end a first portion 18 of small axial extension parallel to therespective brace 5 and in contact therewith, and an upstanding secondportion 19 perpendicular to the respective brace 5 and forming therespective wing 8. Each portion 19 increases in circumferential width ina radially outward direction, having part-circular opposite side edgesdefining respective slots 11 in which the rollers 3 are located, thepairs of edges defining each slot 11 having common centers lying on themean circle of the bearing 15.

In this case, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the wings 8 hold therollers 3 in the respective windows 6 against radial movement in onesense, according to the direction of the radial load of the bearing,while radial loads in the opposite sense are transmitted from therollers 3 to the braces 5. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9 the wings 8project radially outwardly and retain the rollers against radiallyoutward movement.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show a radial bearing 20 in which the wings 8 are foldedover radially inwardly to retain the rollers 3 against radially inwardmovement, the bearing 20 being similar in other respects to the bearing15.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15 a radial bearingindicated generally by 21 has a number of rollers 3 supported by a cage22 formed from a substantially tubular body. The cage 22 has two annularend flanges 23 formed integrally with and located at opposite axial endsof respective transverse braces 5. The flanges 23 project radiallyoutwardly, perpendicular to the braces 5. I

The rollers 3 are retained against radially outward movement by wings 8formed by integral extensions of the annular flanges 23. Each flange 23is bent over on the outside surface of the cage 22 and towards thecenter of the cage 22 to form a first portion 25 parallel to andradially outwardly of the braces 5 at opposite ends thereof and a secondradially inwardly projecting portion 26 perpendicular to the portion andabutting the outer surface of the respective brace 5. The portions 26form the wings 8 and have lateral curved edges which define respectiveslots 11 and which co-operate with the external surfaces of adjacentpairs of rollers 3.

In this embodiment also the slots 11 intersect the mean circle of thebearing 21 and have a guiding and retaining action on the roller 3.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18 is a radial bearing 27similar in many respects to the radial bearing 21 of FIGS. 13 to 15except for the fact that the annular flanges 23 are bent over on theinside surface of the tubular body forming the cage 22 and towards thecenter of the cage. The wings 8 project radially inwardly, and areformed in a manner similar to the wings 8 in FIGS. 13 to 15, integrallywith the flanges 23.

FIGS. 19 to 22 illustrate a thrust bearing 28 including a cage 29 ofsheet metal adapted to support a number of rollers 30 and provided withmeans for retaining and guiding the rollers 30, similar in general tothose illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 18.

The cage 29 is formed by an annular plate of sheet metal comprising anouter annular portion 31 and an inner annular portion 32, concentricwith the outer portion 31 and connected thereto by a number of radialbraces 33 lying in the plane of the plate forming the cage 29. Thebraces 23 are evenly distributed circumferentially and have equaldimensions, each having in plan a substantially trapezoidal shape.Windows 34, of substantially rectangular shape, are defined between thebraces 33, the windows 34 housing respective rollers 30.

The outer annular portion3l is perpendicular to the plane of the plateforming the cage 29, while the inner portion 32 is folded on itself soas to form a continuous rounded lip 36, the folded portion 32 beingparallel to the remainder of the plate forming the cage 29.

The free edge of the folded-over portion 32 in correspondence with theaxial ends of the braces 33 is bent upwardly at right angles, in thesame direction as the portion 31 to form a number of inner upstandingwings 37 perpendicular to the plane of the plate forming the cage 29.

The wings 37 are substantially rectangular in shape and define withtheir lateral, circumferentially facing, edges respective slots 43 whichco-operate with the lateral surfaces of the rollers 30.

If one defines as the mean plane of the thrust bearing 28 that planeparallel to the plate forming the cage 29 which passes through the axesof the rollers 30, then the slots 38 are disposed, as viewed in FIG. 22,above said mean plane and extend at least for a certain distance to theopposite side of said mean plane with respect to the braces 33.

A number of outer upstanding wings 40 are formed, in correspondence withthe radially outer ends of the braces 33, by cutting through the metalsheet from which the cage 29 is formed. Each wing 40 has substantiallythe shape of a T (FIG. 22) and is folded upwardly so as to beperpendicular to the plane of the plate forming the cage 29, and on thesame side thereof as the inner wings 37.

Each wing comprises an inner portion 41 and a coplanar integral outerportion 42, the inner portion 41 being of narrower width than the outerportion and being integrally connected to the radially outer end of therespective brace 33. Each outer portion 42 has part-circularcircumferentially facing side edges defining two adjoining slots 43which are adapted to cooperate with the external surfaces of therespective rollers 30 at the radially outer axial ends of the latter.

The slots 43, like the slots 38, extend across the mean plane of thebearing 28 and are adapted to guide and retain the rollers 30.

In the thrust bearing 28 of FIGS. 19 to 22 the rollers 30 are heldagainst movement in the direction of the load, which in this case isperpendicular to the plane of the plate forming the cage 29, by thebraces 33 on one side of the mean plane and by the wings 37 and 40 onthe other side of the mean plane.

It will be appreciated that mode of operation and the advantages givenby the thrust bearing 28 are similar to those of the radial bearingsillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 18.

Another form of thrust bearing in accordance with the invention isillustrated in FIGS. 23 to 25 by the reference numeral 45. The bearing45 has a cage 44 of sheet metal. The cage 44 has an upstanding outerannu lar portion 31 perpendicular to the plane of the cage and an innerportion 32 which is bent at right angles to form an inner annular lip 46parallel to, and on the same side as the outer portion 31. Respectiveouter wings 47, integral with the outer portion 31, and eachsubstantially trapezoidal in shape, are formed in correspondence withrespective radial braces 33 interconnecting the outer and inner portions31 and 32, the larger side of each trapezoidal wing 47 adjoining theouter portion 31.

Each outer wing 47, obtained by cutting through the metal sheet, has afirst portion 48 parallel to the plane of the plate forming the cage 44and a second end portion 49 perpendicular to the said plane andabutting. at its free end, the surface of the corresponding brace 33 ina point near the radially outer end of the latter. The portions 49 ofthe wing 47 define between their adjoining edges respectivepart-circular slots 43 in which the respective rollers are located.

Respective inner wings 50, each substantially trapezoidal in shape, areformed integrally with the radially inner portion 32 in correspondencewith the inner ends of the braces 33. Each wing 50 adjoins the innerportion 32 along its smaller edge. Each inner wing 50 has a firstportion 51 folded above the inner portion 32 and parallel to the planeof the plate forming the cage 44 and a second portion 52 foldedperpendicularly to the said plane and abutting at its free end thesurface of the corresponding brace 33 near the inner radial end of thelatter. The adjoining side edges of the wings 50 define part-circularslots 58 which are'radially aligned with the slots 43.

As in the case of the cage 29 of FIGS. 19 to 22 in the cage 44 the slots38 and 43 extend across the mean plane of the bearing.

In this way, the wings 47 and 50 retain the rollers 30 in theirrespective windows 34 and guide them in their rotating motion.

FIGS. 26 to 28 illustrate a radial bearing 53 which is similar to thoseillustrated in FIGS. I to 18.

The bearing 53 has a cage 2 provided with outwardly projecting endflanges 4. Each flange 4 is folded over so as to form each a continuousannular frusto-conical lip 54 the external diameter of which taperstowards the corresponding axial end of the cage 2. The flanges 4 areinterconnected by a number of axially extending integrally formed braces5.

The cage 2 is formed in correspondence with the axial ends of the braces5, with wings 55 obtained by slitting the lips 54 of the annular flanges4. The wings 55 converge towards each other outside the respectivebraces 5, each wing 55 including a portion 56 parallel to a generator ofthe corresponding lip 54 and integrally connected to the latter, and anend portion 57 folded outwardly and lying in a plane perpendicular tothe axis of the cage 2.

The wings 55 define, between the side edges of their portions 56, anumber of part-elliptical slots 58, each of which crosses the meancircle 7 of the cage 2. The said side edges co-operate each with thesurface of one of the rollers 3 of the bearing 53, so that the rollers 3are retained and guided for rotation parallel to the axis of the cage 2.

Because of the position and the dimensions of each wing 55, the slots 58embrace the respective rollers 3 very near to the axial ends of thelatter.

In the cage shown in FIGS. 26 to 28 the rollers 3 are held in thewindows 6 against radially inward move ment by the braces and againstradially outward movement by the wings 55, the latter being adapted toco-operate with the rollers 3 in correspondence with the outside ends ofthe slots 58. The end portion 57 of each wing 54 performs the task ofreinforcing the outer ends of the wings 54 at the radially outer ends ofthe slots 58.

In all the bearings herein described the rotating bodies compriserollers. It is, however, possible to manufacture radial or thrustbearings according to this invention with rotating bodies of differentshapes, that is, bodies having straight or curved generators.

It will be understood that details of manufacture of the bearing cageaccording to the invention can be varied widely from what has beenherein described and illustrated by way of example, without departingfrom the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A bearing cage comprising a single piece of sheet metal with twogenerally annular end bodies interconnected by a number of identical anduniformly distributed braces, adjacent pairs of said braces defining aseries of windows each adapted to hold a rolling element, and includinga number of wings upstanding from the braces, one such wing beinglocated at each end of each brace, each of said wings being disposed inspaced apart upstanding relation relative to the surface of said bracesand extending transversely between adjacent windows intermediate theends thereof, the pair of adjacent braces defining the window that holdseach rolling element contacting that element on one side of the meansurface containing the axis of rotation of the rolling elements torestrain the element from movement through the window; the element alsocontacting on the other side of such means surface, at each of the endsof the rolling element, a pair of adjacent wings, such contact betweenthe rolling element and the wings restraining the rolling element frommovement away from the window, the braces extending throughout theirlength in a direction parallel to the mean surface containing the axesof rotation of the rolling elements.

2. A bearing cage according to claim 1, in which each wing co-operateslaterally with two adjacent said rolling elements to retain saidelements in respective said windows.

3. A bearing cage according to claim 1, in which the cage comprises acylindrical sheet metal tubular member having two annular flanges at itsaxial ends, with the braces extending parallel to the cylinder axisbetween said flanges.

4. A bearing cage according to claim 3 in which the tubular member has adiameter which is smaller than that of the mean cylinder containing theaxes of rotation of the rolling elements.

, 5. A bearing cage according to claim 3, in which the tubular memberhas a diameter which is greater than that of the mean cylindercontaining the axes of rotation of the rolling elements. 7

6. A bearing cage according to claim 3, in which the annular flanges areperpendicular to the axis of the cage and are adapted to support therolling elements against axial movement.

7. A bearing cage according to claim 6, in which the annular flangesproject radially outwardly and the wings are formed by cutting throughthe flanges, the said wings extending radially outwardly and havingsubstantially the shape of a T with a circumferentially extending outerportion, and each wing having lateral surfaces for retaining and guidingthe rolling elements.

8. A bearing cage according to claim 6, in which the annular flangesproject radially inwardly and the wings are formed by cutting throughthe flanges, the said wings extending radially inwardly and havingsubstantially the shape of a T with a circumferentially extending innerportion, and each wing having lateral surfaces for retaining and guidingthe rolling elements.

9. A bearing cage according to claim 6, in which the wings projectradially outwardly from the tubular member, each wing having an innerportion connected to the respective annular flange and lying parallel tothe braces between which it extends and in contact with the radiallyexternal surface of such braces and an outer portion perpendicular tothe respective brace and provided with lateral surfaces for retainingand guiding the rolling elements.

10. A bearing cage according to claim 5, in which the wings projectradially inwardly from the tubular member, each wing having a firstportion connected to the respective annular flange and lying parallel tothe braces between which it extends and in contact with the radiallyinternal surface of the latter, and a second portion disposedperpendicular to the respective brace and provided with lateral surfacesfor retaining and guiding the rolling elements.

1 l. A bearing cage according to claim 6, in which the wings are formedintegrally with the said annular flanges and project radially outwardly,each wing having one portion disposed parallel to the cylindricalsurface of the tubular member and another portion perpendicular to thesaid cylindrical surface, said other portion of each wing having a freeend abutting the radially external surface of the braces between whichthat wing extends.

12. A bearing cage according to claim 5, in which the wings are formedintegrally with the annular flanges and project radially inwardly, eachwing having one portion disposed parallel to the cylindrical surface ofthe tubular member and another portion perpendicular to the saidcylindrical surface, said other portion of each wing having a free endabutting the radially internal surface of the braces between which thatwing extends.

13. A bearing cage according to claim 1 in which the piece of sheetmetal is formed into a generally annular plate having two annularportions forming circular concentric walls between which the bracesextend radially.

14. A bearing cage according to claim 13, in which the annular platehas, at its radially outside edge a continuous annular upstanding wallperpendicular to the plane of the plate and, in correspondence with itsinside edge, a continuous annular inner portion folded on itself so asto form an annular lip.

15. A bearing cage according to claim 14, including a series of radiallyinner wings extending upstandingly shape of a T, and having lateralsurfaces adapted to retain and guide respective said rolling elements.

17. A bearing cage according to claim 13, in which the concentric wallsare perpendicular to the plane of the plate.

18. A bearing cage according to claim 17, including radially outer andinner wings, said wings each having a one portion parallel to and spacedfrom the said plate and another portion perpendicular to the plane ofthe plate, the said other portion of at least the radially outer winghaving a free end abutting one face of the said plate and having lateralsurfaces adapted to retain and guide an adjacent pair of rollingelements.

19. A bearing cage according to claim 3, in which the wings project fromthe annular flanges of the cage and include substantially straightportions which slope obliquely to the cage axis and converge towardseach other radially outwardly of the cage and which each have, on theirlateral edges, part-elliptical surfaces which on which the axes of therolling elements lie, said lateral co-operate with the surfaces of therolling elements so as to guide the latter in their rotation parallel tothe axis of the cage, and to retain the elements axially in the cage.

20. A bearing cage according to claim 19, in which each wing has, at itsfree end, a folded portion which projects radially outwardly towards andperpendicularly to the axis of the cage, the slots on the lateral edgesurfaces of each wing being contained between the end of the wingconnected to the respective annular flange and the inner end of the saidfolded portion.

V UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,684, 337 Dated A ugust 15L, 1972 Inventor) Pietro Frans-0s et a1 Itis-certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In The Heading:

The name of the Assignee was omitted? Should Read:

--Assigr1ee: RIV-SKF Officine Di VillarPerosa S.p.A.

Turin, Italy- Signed and sealed this 20th day of February 1973;

(SEAL) Attest: 4

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT @OTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commlsslonerof Patents 7 ORM 0-1050 10-69) uscoMM-Dc 60376-P69 9 U 5. GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE I955 0-366- 334

1. A bearing cage comprising a single piece of sheet metal with twogenerally annular end bodies interconnected by a number of identical anduniformly distributed braces, adjacent pairs of said braces defining aseries of windows each adapted to hold a rolling element, and includinga number of wings upstanding from the braces, one such wing beinglocated at each end of each brace, each of said wings being disposed inspaced apart upstanding relation relative to the surface of said bracesand extending transversely between adjacent windows intermediate theends thereof, the pair of adjacent braces defining the window that holdseach rolling element contacting that element on one side of the meansurface containing the axis of rotation of the rolling elements torestrain the element from movement through the window; the element alsocontacting on the other side of such means surface, at each of the endsof the rolling element, a pair of adjacent wings, such contact betweenthe rolling element and the wings restraining the rolling element frommovement away from the window, the braces extending throughout theirlength in a direction parallel to the mean surface containing the axesof rotation of the rolling elements.
 2. A bearing cage according toclaim 1, in which each wing co-operates laterally with two adjacent saidrolling elements to retain said elements in respective said windows. 3.A bearing cage according to claim 1, in which the cage comprises acylindrical sheet metal tubular member having two annular flanges at itsaxial ends, with the braces extending parallel to the cylinder axisbetween said flanges.
 4. A bearing cage according to claim 3 in whichthe tubular member has a diameter which is smaller than that of the meancylinder containing the axes of rotation of the rolling elements.
 5. Abearing cage according to claim 3, in which the tubular member has adiameter which is greater than that of the mean cylinder containing theaxes of rotation of the rolling elements.
 6. A bearing cage according toclaim 3, in which the annular flanges are perpendicular to the axis ofthe cage and are adapted to support the rolling elements against axialmovement.
 7. A bearing cage according to claim 6, in which the annularflanges project radially outwardly and the wings are formed by cuttingthrough the flanges, the said wings extending radially outwardly andhaving substantially the shape of a T with a circumferentially extendingouter portion, and each wing having lateral surfaces for retaining andguiding the rolling elements.
 8. A bearing cage according to claim 6, inwhich the annular flanges project radially inwardly and the wings areformed by cutting through the flanges, the said wings extending radiallyinwardly and having substantially the shape of a T with acircumferentially extending inner portion, and each wing having lateralsurfaces for retaining and guiding the rolling elements.
 9. A bearingcage according to claim 6, in which the wings project radially outwardlyfrom the tubular member, each wing having an inner portion connected tothe respective annular flange and lying parallel to the braces betweenwhich it extends and in contact with the radially external surface ofsuch braces and an outer portion perpendicular to the respective braceand provided with lateral surfaces for retaining and guiding the rollingelements.
 10. A bearing cage according to claim 5, in which the wingsproject radially inwardly from the tubular member, each wing having afirst portion connected to the respective annular flange and lyingparallel to the braces between which it extends and in contact with theradially internal surface of the latter, and a second portion disposedperpendicular to the respective brace and provided with lateral surfacesfor retaining and guiding the rolling elements.
 11. A bearing cageaccording to claim 6, in which the wings are formed integrally with thesaid annular flanges and project radially outwardly, each wing havingone portion disposed parallel to the cylindrical surface of the tubularmember and another portion perpendicular to the said cylindricalsurface, said other portion of each wing having a free end abutting theradially external surface of the braces between which that wing extends.12. A bearing cage according to claim 5, in which the wings are formedintegrally with the annular flanges and project radially inwardly, eachwing having one portion disposed parallel to the cylindrical surface ofthe tubular member and another portion perpendicular to the saidcylindrical surface, said other portion of each wing having a free endabutting the radially internal surface of the braces between which thatwing extends.
 13. A bearing cage according to claim 1 in which the pieceof sheet metal is formed into a generally annular plate having twoannular portions forming circular concentric walls between which thebraces extend radially.
 14. A bearing cage according to claim 13, inwhich the annular plate has, at its radially outside edge a continuousannular upstanding wall perpendicular to the plane of the plate and, incorrespondence with its inside edge, a continuous annular inner portionfolded on itself so as to form an annular lip.
 15. A bearing cageaccording to claim 14, including a series of radially inner wingsextending upstandingly from the annular inner portion, each said wingbeing perpendicular to the annular plate and on the same side thereof asthe outer annular wall, and each wing having lateral surfaces forretaining and guiding respective said rolling elements.
 16. A bearingcage according to claim 14, including a series of radially outerupstanding wings, formed by cutting through the annular outer wall,connected to the annular plate at the radially outer ends of the bracesand disposed perpendicular to the plane of the plate, each said outerwing having substantially the shape of a T, and having lateral surfacesadapted to retain and guide respective said rolling elements.
 17. Abearing cage according to claim 13, in which the concentric walls areperpendicular to the plane of the plate.
 18. A bearing cage according toclaim 17, including radially outer and inner wings, said wings eachhaving a one portion parallel to and spaced from the said plate andanother portion perpendicular to the plane of the plate, the said otherportion of at least the radially outer wing having a free end abuttingone face of the said plate and having lateral surfaces adapted to retainand guide an adjacent pair of rolling elements.
 19. A bearing cageaccording to claim 3, in which the wings project from the annularflanges of the cage and include substantially straight portions whichslope obliquely to the cage axis and converge towards each otherradially outwardly of the cage and which each have, on their lateraledges, part-elliptical surfaces which on which the axes of the rollingelements lie, said lateral co-operate with the surfaces of the rollingelements so as to guide the latter in their rotation parallel to theaxis of the cage, and to retain the elements axially in the cage.
 20. Abearing cage according to claim 19, in which each wing has, at its freeend, a folded portion which projects radially outwardly towards andperpendicularly to the axis of the cage, the slots on the lateral edgesurfaces of each wing being contained between the end of the wingconnected to the respective annular flange and the inner end of the saidfolded portion.